Effect of Laser Irradiation Modes and Photosensitizer Types on Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) for Streptococcus sobrinus in the Crown Dentin of Bovine Teeth: An Experimental In Vitro Study.

This study aimed to assess the impact of different laser irradiation modes and photosensitizer types on the bactericidal efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Dentin plates were prepared by sectioning the crown dentin of bovine teeth infected with Streptococcus sobrinus (n = 11). Nine aPDTs involving the combination of three 1% solutions of photosensitizers (brilliant blue, BB; acid red, AR; and methylene blue, MB) and three irradiation modes of semiconductor lasers (50 mW for 120 s, 100 mW for 60 s, and 200 mW for 30 s) were performed for each infected dentin plate, and the control consisted of the specimens not applied with aPDT. The bactericidal effects in 10 groups were evaluated using both assays of the colony count (colony-forming-unit: CFU) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (relative-light-unit: RLU). The data obtained were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (α = 0.05). The most aPDT groups exhibited significantly lower RLU and CFU values compared with the control (p < 0.05). The effect of irradiation modes on RLU and CFU values was significant in the aPDT group using BB (p < 0.05) but not in the aPDT group using AR or MB. The aPDT performed with AR or MB exerted a remarkable bactericidal effect.

Endovascular treatment of acute atherothrombotic internal carotid artery occlusion associated with persistent primitive hypoglossal artery.

Persistent primitive hypoglossal artery is a relatively rare anatomical variation and a type of persistent carotid-basilar anastomosis. Acute internal carotid artery occlusion associated with persistent primitive hypoglossal artery is rare, and atherothrombotic occlusion is extremely rare. We present a case of acute atherothrombotic internal carotid artery occlusion associated with persistent primitive hypoglossal artery that was successfully treated by endovascular treatment. A 70-year-old male with a history of left internal carotid artery stenosis was transferred to our hospital by ambulance because of abnormal behaviors and aphasia. He was diagnosed with cerebral infarction and left internal carotid artery occlusion. Left carotid angiography revealed the persistent primitive hypoglossal artery arising from the cervical internal carotid artery and complete internal carotid artery occlusion distal to the origin of the persistent primitive hypoglossal artery. Therefore, we performed endovascular treatment. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed under minimal flow arrest with consideration of brain ischemia causing coma. After additional balloon angioplasty, recanalization was achieved, and the patient's symptoms improved. During the 1.5-year follow-up period, no recurrence or restenosis was observed. This report provides evidence that atherosclerotic internal carotid artery stenosis associated with persistent primitive hypoglossal artery can occur even distal to the origin of the persistent primitive hypoglossal artery and that the lesion may become acutely occluded, leading to acute stroke. Endovascular treatment considering brain ischemia was effective in this case.

Internal carotid artery-persistent primitive anterior choroidal artery aneurysms: report of two cases and literature review.

PURPOSE: Persistent primitive anterior choroidal artery (PPAChA) is a rare vascular anomaly. The clinical course of internal carotid artery (ICA)-PPAChA aneurysms has not been well described. CASE REPORTS: We report two patients with an ICA-PPChA aneurysm and summarize previously reported cases. RESULTS: Including our two, a total of 10 patients with an ICA-PPAChA aneurysm have been reported. Data were not described for one. Among the remaining nine, five patients (56%) experienced aneurysmal rupture. Five patients underwent surgical clipping and four underwent endovascular coiling. The procedure was completed in all but one patient who had a tiny branch artery adherent to the aneurysm; this patient was converted from clipping to aneurysm coating with a cotton sheet. Among the other eight patients, one who underwent coiling experienced an internal capsule infarction. The remaining seven had a satisfactory postoperative course; however, an asymptomatic occlusion of the PPAChA at its origin was noted on postoperative angiography in one. CONCLUSION: PPChA is associated with a high incidence of aneurysm formation and rupture. During treatment of ICA-PPAChA aneurysms, obstruction of the PPAChA and any surrounding perforating arteries should be avoided to prevent ischemic stroke.

Long insular artery damage might be a key sign for predicting functional prognosis of putaminal hemorrhage / El daño de la arteria insular larga podría ser un signo clave para predecir el pronóstico funcional de la hemorragia putaminal

Objective Although the putamen is the most common area of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, previous reports about the effects of surgery are limited. We sometimes experience a poor prognosis in patients in whom there is no damage to the internal capsule, but with injury in the long insular artery (LIA) region. The purpose of this study was to confirm the relationship between LIA damage and patient prognosis following surgery for putaminal hemorrhage. Methods We retrospectively collected data of 287 surgical cases who presented with putaminal hemorrhage between January 2004 and March 2022. Among them, we chose patients without initial damage to the posterior limb of the internal capsule, and divided these patients into two groups, those without (Group A) and with (Group B) final damage in the LIA region. We compared positivity rates of final manual muscle test (MMT) scores≥3 and related factors. Results Sixty-three of the 287 patients were included in this study. Of them, 11 cases in Group A were positive for MMT scores≥3 (68.8%) and 9 cases (19.1%) in Group B had MMT scores≥3 seven days after surgery. Group A thus had a significantly higher rate of MMT scores≥3 than group B (p=0.00). Conclusion In patients without initial damage to the internal capsule, LIA injury might be a key sign for predicting the functional prognosis of putaminal hemorrhage (AU)

Objetivo Aunque el putamen es la zona más común de la hemorragia intracerebral espontánea, los informes previos sobre los efectos de la cirugía son limitados. En ocasiones se observa un mal pronóstico en los pacientes en los que no hay daño en la cápsula interna, pero sí en la región de la arteria insular larga (AIL). El propósito de este estudio fue confirmar la relación entre el daño de la AIL y el pronóstico de los pacientes tras la cirugía de la hemorragia putaminal. Métodos Se recogieron retrospectivamente los datos de 287 casos quirúrgicos que se presentaron con hemorragia putaminal entre enero de 2004 y marzo de 2022. Entre ellos, elegimos a los pacientes sin daño inicial en la extremidad posterior de la cápsula interna, y dividimos a estos pacientes en 2 grupos, los que no tenían (grupo A) y los que tenían (grupo B) daño final en la región AIL. Se compararon las tasas de positividad de las puntuaciones finales de la prueba muscular manual (TMM)≥3 y los factores relacionados. Resultados Sesenta y tres de los 287 pacientes fueron incluidos en este estudio. De ellos, 11 casos del grupo A tuvieron puntuaciones de MMT≥3 positivas (68,8%) y 9 casos (19,1%) del grupo B tuvieron puntuaciones de MMT≥3, 7 días después de la cirugía. Así pues, el grupo A tuvo una tasa significativamente mayor de puntuaciones MMT≥3 que el grupo B (p=0,00). Conclusión En los pacientes sin daño inicial en la cápsula interna, la lesión del AIL podría ser un signo clave para predecir el pronóstico funcional de la hemorragia putaminal (AU)

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on the functionality of 40 Hz auditory steady state response brain network: graph theory approach.

Introduction: Measuring whole-brain networks of the 40 Hz auditory steady state response (ASSR) is a promising approach to describe the after-effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tDCS on the brain network of 40 Hz ASSR in healthy adult males using graph theory. The second objective was to identify a population in which tDCS effectively modulates the brain network of 40 Hz ASSR. Methods: This study used a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blinded crossover approach. Twenty-five adult males (20-24 years old) completed two sessions at least 1 month apart. The participants underwent cathodal or sham tDCS of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, after which 40 Hz ASSR was measured using magnetoencephalography. After the signal sources were mapped onto the Desikan-Killiany brain atlas, the statistical relationships between localized activities were evaluated in terms of the debiased weighted phase lag index (dbWPLI). Weighted and undirected graphs were constructed for the tDCS and sham conditions based on the dbWPLI. Weighted characteristic path lengths and clustering coefficients were then measured and compared between the tDCS and sham conditions using mixed linear models. Results: The characteristic path length was significantly lower post-tDCS simulation (p = 0.04) than after sham stimulation. This indicates that after tDCS simulation, the whole-brain networks of 40 Hz ASSR show a significant functional integration. Simple linear regression showed a higher characteristic path length at baseline, which was associated with a larger reduction in characteristic path length after tDCS. Hence, a pronounced effect of tDCS is expected for those who have a less functionally integrated network of 40 Hz ASSR. Discussion: Given that the healthy brain is functionally integrated, we conclude that tDCS could effectively normalize less functionally integrated brain networks rather than enhance functional integration.

Long insular artery damage might be a key sign for predicting functional prognosis of putaminal hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Although the putamen is the most common area of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, previous reports about the effects of surgery are limited. We sometimes experience a poor prognosis in patients in whom there is no damage to the internal capsule, but with injury in the long insular artery (LIA) region. The purpose of this study was to confirm the relationship between LIA damage and patient prognosis following surgery for putaminal hemorrhage. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of 287 surgical cases who presented with putaminal hemorrhage between January 2004 and March 2022. Among them, we chose patients without initial damage to the posterior limb of the internal capsule, and divided these patients into two groups, those without (Group A) and with (Group B) final damage in the LIA region. We compared positivity rates of final manual muscle test (MMT) scores≥3 and related factors. RESULTS: Sixty-three of the 287 patients were included in this study. Of them, 11 cases in Group A were positive for MMT scores≥3 (68.8%) and 9 cases (19.1%) in Group B had MMT scores≥3 seven days after surgery. Group A thus had a significantly higher rate of MMT scores≥3 than group B (p=0.00). CONCLUSION: In patients without initial damage to the internal capsule, LIA injury might be a key sign for predicting the functional prognosis of putaminal hemorrhage.

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Clinical Potential of Dexmedetomidine in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

A pathogenic aspect of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the aberrant pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation. PASMC proliferation is significantly affected by inflammation. A selective α-2 adrenergic receptor agonist called dexmedetomidine (DEX) modulates specific inflammatory reactions. We investigated the hypothesis that anti-inflammatory characteristics of DEX could lessen PAH that monocrotaline (MCT) causes in rats. In vivo, male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6 weeks were subcutaneously injected with MCT at a dose of 60 mg/kg. Continuous infusions of DEX (2 µg/kg per hour) were started via osmotic pumps in one group (MCT plus DEX group) at day 14 following MCT injection but not in another group (MCT group). Right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP), and survival rate significantly improved in the MCT plus DEX group compared with the MCT group [RVSP, 34 mmHg ± 4 mmHg versus 70 mmHg ± 10 mmHg; RVEDP, 2.6 mmHg ± 0.1 mmHg versus 4.3 mmHg ± 0.6 mmHg; survival rate, 42% versus 0% at day 29 (P < 0.01)]. In the histologic study, the MCT plus DEX group showed fewer phosphorylated p65-positive PASMCs and less medial hypertrophy of the pulmonary arterioles. In vitro, DEX dose-dependently inhibited human PASMC proliferation. Furthermore, DEX decreased the expression of interleukin-6 mRNA in human PASMCs treated with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). These consequences suggest that DEX improves PAH by inhibiting PASMC proliferation through its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, DEX may exert anti-inflammatory effects via blocking FGF2-induced nuclear factor κ B activation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Dexmedetomidine, a selective α-2 adrenergic receptor agonist utilized as a sedative in the clinical setting, improves pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by inhibiting pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation through its anti-inflammatory effect. Dexmedetomidine may be a new PAH therapeutic agent with vascular reverse remodeling effect.

Myocardial TRPC6-mediated Zn2+ influx induces beneficial positive inotropy through ß-adrenoceptors.

Baroreflex control of cardiac contraction (positive inotropy) through sympathetic nerve activation is important for cardiocirculatory homeostasis. Transient receptor potential canonical subfamily (TRPC) channels are responsible for α1-adrenoceptor (α1AR)-stimulated cation entry and their upregulation is associated with pathological cardiac remodeling. Whether TRPC channels participate in physiological pump functions remains unclear. We demonstrate that TRPC6-specific Zn2+ influx potentiates ß-adrenoceptor (ßAR)-stimulated positive inotropy in rodent cardiomyocytes. Deletion of trpc6 impairs sympathetic nerve-activated positive inotropy but not chronotropy in mice. TRPC6-mediated Zn2+ influx boosts α1AR-stimulated ßAR/Gs-dependent signaling in rat cardiomyocytes by inhibiting ß-arrestin-mediated ßAR internalization. Replacing two TRPC6-specific amino acids in the pore region with TRPC3 residues diminishes the α1AR-stimulated Zn2+ influx and positive inotropic response. Pharmacological enhancement of TRPC6-mediated Zn2+ influx prevents chronic heart failure progression in mice. Our data demonstrate that TRPC6-mediated Zn2+ influx with α1AR stimulation enhances baroreflex-induced positive inotropy, which may be a new therapeutic strategy for chronic heart failure.

Accidental duodenal foreign body of toothbrush removed laparoscopically: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Foreign body ingestion is a common case in daily medical care, and it usually passes through the entire gastrointestinal tract naturally and is excreted in the feces. However, long and sharp foreign bodies may be difficult to pass naturally due to their shape. Here, we present a rare case of a duodenal foreign body, a toothbrush, that required laparoscopic surgical removal after a failed endoscopic attempt. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old male with intellectual disability presented to our hospital due to fever. Initially, he was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia by chest X-ray and blood examination. However, abdominal X-ray examination suggested a foreign body, and a computed tomography scan revealed a toothbrush in the duodenum. Therefore, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was immediately attempted to remove it, but it could not be safely removed because the handle part of the toothbrush seemed deeply embedded in the duodenal mucosa. Therefore, this case was diagnosed as duodenal incarceration of the toothbrush, and it was removed by laparoscopic surgery. The operation was performed safely, and the patient's postoperative course was good without any complications. The extracted toothbrush was 15 cm in length. CONCLUSION: We experienced a rare case of a duodenal foreign body, which was a toothbrush. The duodenal foreign body was safely removed by laparoscopic surgery for the first time.

High hydrostatic pressure induces slow contraction in mouse cardiomyocytes.

Cardiomyocytes are contractile cells that regulate heart contraction. Ca2+ flux via Ca2+ channels activates actomyosin interactions, leading to cardiomyocyte contraction, which is modulated by physical factors (e.g., stretch, shear stress, and hydrostatic pressure). We evaluated the mechanism triggering slow contractions using a high-pressure microscope to characterize changes in cell morphology and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in mouse cardiomyocytes exposed to high hydrostatic pressures. We found that cardiomyocytes contracted slowly without an acute transient increase in [Ca2+]i, while a myosin ATPase inhibitor interrupted pressure-induced slow contractions. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy showed that, although the sarcomere length was shortened upon the application of 20 MPa, this pressure did not collapse cellular structures such as the sarcolemma and sarcomeres. Our results suggest that pressure-induced slow contractions in cardiomyocytes are driven by the activation of actomyosin interactions without an acute transient increase in [Ca2+]i.

Comparison of clonal architecture between primary and immunodeficient mouse-engrafted acute myeloid leukemia cells.

Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) are widely used as human cancer models. Previous studies demonstrated clonal discordance between PDX and primary cells. However, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-PDX models, the significance of the clonal dynamics occurring in PDX remains unclear. By evaluating changes in the variant allele frequencies (VAF) of somatic mutations in serial samples of paired primary AML and their PDX bone marrow cells, we identify the skewing engraftment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) AML clones in 57% of PDX models generated from multiclonal AML cells at diagnosis, even if R/R clones are minor at <5% of VAF in patients. The event-free survival rate of patients whose AML cells successfully engraft in PDX models is consistently lower than that of patients with engraftment failure. We herein demonstrate that primary AML cells including potentially chemotherapy-resistant clones dominantly engraft in AML-PDX models and they enrich pre-existing treatment-resistant subclones.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in breast FNA biopsy cytology: A predictor of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in histologic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are associated with various clinicopathological features. Using cytologic specimens for assessing TILs remains to be established. This retrospective study aimed to establish a practical method to assess TILs in cytologic samples. METHODS: The authors found 1101 breast fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) cytology samples in their hospital, and 214 of them met the inclusion criteria. The TILs score was evaluated using histologic slides, and breast cancers were divided into 2 groups: low- (<60%) and high-TILs (≥60%). Training and validation tests composed of 50 breast cancer samples each were constructed. A cytologic TILs (cTILs) score was introduced to evaluate lymphocytes in FNAB cytology and it was compared with histologically evaluated TILs. The cTILs score was calculated by subtracting the number of neutrophils from the number of lymphocytes surrounding the tumor cells. RESULTS: In the training test, a 2-tier system with low- and high-TILs groups showed a large area under the curve (AUC) (0.943; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.99). A cTILs score cutoff value of >8 had 87.5% sensitivity and 90.5% specificity. In the validation test, the AUC was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.6-0.93) whereas sensitivity and specificity were 57% and 89.5%, respectively. When small tumors <0.5 cm were excluded, the AUC improved to 0.93 (95% CI, 0.83-1.0), and sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 88.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The cTILs scoring system had acceptable reproducibility and concordance with TILs on histologic samples for tumors ≥0.5 cm. Cytologic evaluation can potentially substitute for histologic evaluation of TILs.

Infliximab treatment for refractory COVID-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in a Japanese child.

Patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) can develop clinical features resembling Kawasaki disease (KD). A full picture of MIS-C in East Asia which has higher incidence of KD than other regions remains unclear. We report on a 15-year-old Japanese boy with refractory MIS-C who was successfully treated with infliximab. A Japanese boy who was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) before a month developed MIS-C with fulfilling six principal symptoms of KD. Laboratory data showed extreme hyperferritinemia (11,404 ng/mL), besides lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia. The patient was refractory to initial therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG; 2 g/kg), aspirin, and prednisolone. He was therefore administered a second IVIG (2 g/kg) and infliximab (5 mg/kg) on days 7 and 8 from the onset of fever, respectively, which resulted in an improvement of clinical symptoms. Only four Japanese cases with MIS-C were reported and all of them were responsive to IVIG. The hyperferritinemia in this case was distinctive from previously reported MIS-C cases in Japan and other cohorts and may be associated with refractoriness to IVIG therapy. Marked elevation of circulating ferritin levels is known to be induced by tumor necrosis factor-α, which plays a key role in the pathogenesis of both KD and MIS-C. Thus, for MIS-C patients with hyperferritinemia, early intervention with adjunctive infliximab may induce a more rapid resolution of inflammation and improve outcome. Because MIS-C may be heterogeneous with respect to immunopathology, genetic background, clinical phenotypes and response to therapies, optimized treatment strategies according to immunopathogenesis are required.

A rare case of intracytoplasmic mucin-rich nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated tumor with a high incidence in Asian countries. NPC is a type of squamous cell carcinoma originating from the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Although rare, NPCs show some uncommon histologic variants; these variations remain to be understood. We described the cytologic characteristics of a rare NPC variant with abundant intracytoplasmic mucin. A 37-year-old Japanese man presented to our hospital with bilateral ear discomfort and palpable lymph nodes. Nasopharyngeal biopsy showed tumor cells with abundant intracytoplasmic, Alcian blue-PAS-positive mucin. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the tumor cells were positive for p40 and p53. Epstein-Barr encoding region (EBER) in situ hybridization (ISH) showed EBV infection of the tumor cells. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using MAML2 break-apart probes did not show split signals. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) cytology of the metastatic lymph nodes was also performed. Smear samples had a necrotic and inflammatory background with both lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltration. Highly cellular tumor clusters and dispersed cells with naked nuclei were observed. The tumor cells showed a clear cytoplasm with distinct cell borders. Intracytoplasmic mucin pushing the nucleus to the periphery was observed in the scattered tumor cells in a liquid-based cytology sample. Given these findings, the final diagnosis was advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma; cisplatin-based chemoradiation therapy was performed as the first-line treatment. The tumor recurred 8 months after completing the treatment. The recurrent nasopharyngeal tumor was a typical non-keratinizing NPC and lacked intracytoplasmic mucin.

Hereditary Xerocytosis: Differential Behavior of PIEZO1 Mutations in the N-Terminal Extracellular Domain Between Red Blood Cells and HEK Cells.

Hereditary Xerocytosis, a rare hemolytic anemia, is due to gain of function mutations in PIEZO1, a non-selective cation channel activated by mechanical stress. How these PIEZO1 mutations impair channel function and alter red blood cell (RBC) physiology, is not completely understood. Here, we report the characterization of mutations in the N-terminal part of the protein (V598M, F681S and the double mutation G782S/R808Q), a part of the channel that was subject of many investigations to decipher its role in channel gating. Our data show that the electrophysiological features of these PIEZO1 mutants expressed in HEK293T cells are different from previously characterized PIEZO1 mutations that are located in the pore or at the C-terminal extracellular domain of the protein. Although RBC with PIEZO1 mutations showed a dehydrated phenotype, the activity of V598M, F681S or R808Q in response to stretch was not significantly different from the WT channels. In contrast, the G782S mutant showed larger currents compared to the WT PIEZO1. Interestingly, basal activity of all the mutated channels was not significantly altered at the opposite of what was expected according to the decreased water and cation contents of resting RBC. In addition, the features of mutant PIEZO1 expressed in HEK293 cells do not always correlate with the observation in RBC where PIEZO1 mutations induced a cation leak associated with an increased conductance. Our work emphasizes the role of the membrane environment in PIEZO1 activity and the need to characterize RBC permeability to assess pathogenicity to PIEZO1 mutants associated with erythrocyte diseases.

Computed tomographic analysis of internal structures within the nasal cavities of green, loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles.

The morphology of the tetrapod nasal cavity has adapted to the environment in terms of olfaction and respiration. Reports indicate that the internal structure of the nasal cavity of green sea turtles is more complex than that of turtles in general, but whether or not it is similar among sea turtle species remains unknown. The present study aimed to define the internal structures of the nasal cavity of green (Chelonian mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles using computed tomography. The nasal cavity of green and loggerhead sea turtles contained anterodorsal, anteroventral, posterodorsal diverticula and a posteroventral excavation in the middle. In contrast, the nasal cavity of leatherback sea turtles had more complicated dorsal region comprising anterodorsal and posterodorsal diverticula, and two excavations between the nostril and anterodorsal diverticulum, but no distinct structures at the ventral region. The airway in the nasal cavity was shorter and thicker in the leatherback, than in the green and loggerhead turtles. These species differences might reflect ecological variety and different evolutionary strategies.

Main airway throughout the nasal cavity of green sea turtles is lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

Structural and histological features of the nasal cavity of sea turtles are largely different from those of other Testudines species. The sea turtle nasal cavity is a pair of tubular structures with three diverticula and an excavation in the center, and three types of sensory epithelium are present in these four significant structures. To more clarify the adaptation of the nasal cavity to marine life style in sea turtles, non-sensory epithelium in the nasal cavity of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) were histologically determined from nostril to choanae in this study. Unlike many other animals including terrestrial turtles, the vestibular area and nasopharyngeal duct were all lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. In the main nasal cavity, the margins of each sensory epithelium turned into respiratory epithelium with goblet cells, followed by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Keratinized epithelium appears more appropriate in sea turtle upper airway to protect against osmotic pressure when they release seawater through the nostrils, and thus this histological feature of upper airway might reflect adaptation to marine life style.

Behavioral effects of scents from male mature Rathke glands on juvenile green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).

Sea turtles can detect airborne and waterborne odors, but whether they recognize scents from the same species and if so, how they affect their behavior remains unknown. The present study evaluated the behavioral effects of odorants on juvenile green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). The odorants were derived from Rathke glands (external scent glands) of mature male green sea turtles, and from two types of food. The activity of the juveniles increased when exposed to food scents, and significantly decreased compared with controls when exposed to scents from Rathke glands. These findings indicated that scents from the same species affect behavior, and that chemical communication via olfaction has important outcomes for sea turtles.

Results of Therapy Using Oral Anticoagulants in the Acute Phase after Mechanical Thrombectomy.

Objective: The usage of oral anticoagulants (OACs) in the acute phase of cerebral infarction has increased, but the optimal timing for starting OACs after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is unclear. We report the usage of OACs after MT at our hospital and evaluated the outcomes. Methods: OACs were selected as secondary preventive drugs for 64 patients who underwent MT for anterior circulatory embolism between July 2016 and January 2019. Of the 64 patients, 28 and 36 received direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and warfarin (Wf), respectively. We compared the frequency of intracranial hemorrhage in the acute phase and that of recurrent cerebral infarction within 30 days. Results: The median diffusion-weighted imaging-Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Scores + white matter (DWI-ASPECTS + W) score at admission was 7.5 (IQR 6-9)/8 (IQR, 6-9) in the DOACs group/Wf group. The rate of recanalization with modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) ≥2B by MT was 89.3/80.6%. In patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) associated with MT and patients with hemorrhagic transformation (HT) on MRI the next day, administration was started after hemostasis. The median timing of the first anticoagulant administration was 3 (IQR, 2-4)/2 (IQR, 1-4) days. In the case of no HT the next day, the rate of new HT after 1 week was 7.1%/29.1%. In the case of HT the next day, the rate of HT deterioration the next day was 7.1%/16.6%. The percentage of symptomatic bleeding was 0%/2.8%. The percentage of recurrent cerebral infarction within 30 days was 0%/2.8%. Conclusion: OACs in the acute phase after MT can be safely used and are expected to be effective at preventing recurrence.